Without doubt the major news has come over Ireland’s nine-time champion jockey Pat Smullen, who has been diagnosed with a tumour.

In itself it’s nothing unusual. But like many I look at Derby-winning Smullen as super human - so it comes as even more of a shock he has a battle ahead.

At the end of the day I’m a racing fan just like most readers of this column, the only difference compared to some of you is I’m lucky enough to get up close and personal with the stars of the racing game.

Covering Irish racing on Attheraces has given me the chance to meet many people I never dreamed I would have contact with when I was younger.

Pat is one of those.

A family man - and the family includes maestro and boss Dermot Weld - and in the mould of the legendary Michael Kinane as a rider, Smullen is a hero. Huge respect to you Pat, and I and every racing fan out there wish you all the best.

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In what seems a triviality compared to Smullen, let’s get back to the William Haggas-trained Addeybb.

He won the Lincoln in impress style for James Doyle, but was only rated 99. He’s up to 109 now.

But will he become one of the top milers of the season as many have suggested?

Here are the positives:

Haggas was quick to nominate a Group race at Sandown next. He said: “The plan had been to go to Sandown for the Mile there in a month if he did something like what he's done there, so I imagine that's what we'll do.”

Addeybb’s form is progressive. He’s now won four out of his six starts.

The Lincoln looked a decent renewal, with Lord Glitters a quality runner-up and already placed at Group level.

1. If Haggas was so sure Addeybb was a monster, why was he sent off at 5-1?

2. Form on testing ground is often worth taking with a pinch of salt.

3. Addeybb’s best recent form has come in big fields rarely found in Group races.

4. There are plenty of good Lincoln victors who have failed to shine later in a campaign.

5. If Addeybb was spot on for the Lincoln, is it realistic to expect him to progress throughout the season on better ground?

In no way am I saying Addeybb won’t be a horse to make us sit up and watch throughout the campaign. But there are many strides to be taken before he’s instantly a Group performer. Whatever Addeybb’s fate, Haggas has already shown us he’s once again going to be a real force this year.

As I predicted not long ago on ITV, Aussie wonder mare Winx will not be performing in the UK this summer. Many will scoff, but Frankel never left UK shores so why should Winx race away from home?

The fact is she is a marvel. No question.

I have been lucky enough to go to a Cox Plate. It’s huge, and if she wins four she will be the first to do so. To put in context it’s like the Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Champion Stakes all rolled into one. Do not mock it!

Speaking of Australia, jockey James McDonald - once Godolphin’s No1 Down Under - will be back riding in May. He was banned for 18 months for breaking betting regulations back in 2016.

It was thought McDonald might come back to the UK, where he has ridden for the Hills family, but my sources tell me he will stay in Australia. We’ll only find out for sure in the next few days. McDonald has been advised by local stewards not to talk about his case until next week.

Cheltenham may be done and dusted for 2018, but the non runner no bet offer by bookmakers is worth highlighting.

How many TV experts or journalists mentioned William Hill offered insurance in their give away? None, as far as I am aware. But if you backed a horse with Hills and the horse ran in a different race to the one you backed you didn’t just get your money back. You lost it. The insurance was over missing the meeting. Always read the small print.